On February 7, one of India’s most consequential academic gateways opens quietly but decisively. GATE 2026, conducted by IIT Guwahati, is not just another competitive exam. For nearly 10 lakh engineering graduates, it represents a rare intersection of opportunity where postgraduate education, public sector careers, and long-term professional stability converge. With PSUs expanding hiring pipelines and IIT MTech admissions remaining fiercely selective, the stakes around this year’s exam are unusually high.
This edition of GATE arrives with tighter exam-day controls, heightened scrutiny at urban centres like Delhi and Mumbai, and a renewed emphasis on candidate discipline. After logistical glitches reported during the 2025 cycle, authorities have reinforced frisking, biometric verification, and entry timelines. For students, especially those travelling across NCR corridors to Noida and Ghaziabad, exam-day execution may matter as much as preparation.
A nationwide exam at massive scale
IIT Guwahati opened registrations for GATE 2026 on August 28, drawing close to 12 lakh applications. After withdrawals and corrections, about 10 lakh candidates are expected to appear across 30 papers and 235 exam cities.
Computer Science, Electronics, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering continue to dominate registrations, reflecting both industry demand and PSU recruitment patterns. Application fees were set at Rs 1,800 for general category candidates and Rs 900 for SC, ST, and PwD applicants, keeping the exam broadly accessible despite its scale.
The test will be conducted over four days: February 7, 8, 14, and 15, in two shifts each day.
Exam schedule candidates must memorise
GATE 2026 follows a fixed two-shift structure nationwide. These timings are strictly enforced.
Morning shift runs from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Afternoon shift is scheduled from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.
Entry gates open well before the exam and close sharply. For the first shift, candidates must enter between 8:00 am and 9:20 am. For the second shift, entry is permitted from 1:30 pm to 2:20 pm. Late arrivals are not allowed under any circumstances.
Admit card download now active
Admit cards have been available since January 13 through the GOAPS portal. Candidates must log in using their enrollment ID and password to download the document.
A printed A4 colour copy is mandatory. The admit card must clearly display the candidate’s photograph, signature, roll number, exam paper, and test centre details. Blurred photos or damaged printouts have caused entry issues in previous years and should be avoided.
Documents allowed inside the exam centre
Candidates must carry the admit card along with one original, valid photo ID. Accepted IDs include Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence, passport, and voter ID.
A black ballpoint pen is permitted for signing attendance sheets. Transparent water bottles may be allowed depending on centre policy, though labelled or coloured bottles are typically rejected.
Zero-tolerance list candidates often underestimate
GATE 2026 enforces a strict no-gadget rule. Mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, and any electronic devices are prohibited.
Even non-electronic items such as log tables, charts, books, rough paper, pencils, erasers, and scales are not allowed. Accessories including heavy jewellery, belts with metallic buckles, caps, dupattas, and scarves can also trigger frisking delays or denial of entry.
Candidates are advised not to bring bags or valuables, as many centres do not provide storage facilities.
What Security Will Allow Inside the Exam Hall
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Dress code that avoids trouble at the gate
Comfortable, minimal clothing is strongly recommended. Slippers or sandals, light shirts, kurtas, and jeans without metal buttons work best.
Female candidates are advised to avoid bindis, heavy earrings, scarves, or dupattas that can complicate frisking. Sikh candidates are permitted to wear turbans following standard security checks.
Inside the centre: biometric checks and frisking
Upon arrival, candidates undergo multiple verification stages. These include live photograph capture, fingerprint scanning, and in some centres, iris verification.
Frisking is conducted with sensitivity. Female candidates are checked by female staff only. Any mismatch or refusal during verification can lead to disqualification from the session.
How the computer-based test works
Each paper consists of 65 questions carrying a total of 100 marks. Question types include MCQs, MSQs, and Numerical Answer Type questions.
An on-screen virtual calculator is provided and is the only calculator allowed. Negative marking applies only to MCQs, with one-third marks deducted for incorrect answers.
PSU recruitment adds extra weight this year
Public sector undertakings continue to rely heavily on GATE scores. ONGC is expected to recruit around 250 candidates, IOCL nearly 500, and NTPC about 200, with general category cut-offs often above 60.
For many candidates, a strong GATE performance can eliminate the need for separate PSU exams altogether.
Subject-wise last-hour focus areas
For CS and IT, Operating Systems and DBMS typically carry around 12 marks each. Mechanical Engineering candidates often see Thermodynamics around 14 marks and Strength of Materials near 12.
Electronics candidates should revise Networks and Analog Electronics, while Civil Engineering aspirants benefit from revisiting Strength of Materials and Fluid Mechanics.
Health, sleep, and travel planning
Authorities and mentors consistently stress rest over revision on the final night. Eight hours of sleep, a light breakfast such as idli or poha, and steady hydration help maintain focus.
Delhi NCR candidates should plan travel buffers carefully. Reaching Noida Sector 62 from Gurugram can take over 90 minutes during peak hours. Arriving at least an hour early reduces anxiety and last-minute errors.
Results, counselling, and score validity
GATE 2026 results are expected on March 19, with scorecards available by April 28. IIT MTech counselling through COAP typically begins in May.
GATE scores remain valid for three years for academic admissions, though most PSUs accept scores only for the recruitment cycle in which they are used.
